Photo Shoots Adventure – Trips in Lovers Cave, Gozo & Comino

The main appeal here is simple: your own boat and skipper take you around Comino, Gozo, and Malta, stopping at caves, clear-water coves, beaches, and photo spots. Lovers Cave and the Blue Lagoon are the stars, but the real pleasure is having a private boat that can shape the outing around your group.

I like the freedom to swim and snorkel without joining a large boatload of strangers. I also like the practical comforts, including shaded seating, a sun deck, an ice cooler, Bluetooth speaker, WiFi, and snorkelling gear. The main thing to watch is the extra cost for the professional skipper and fuel, which are each listed at €49.

Key points to know before booking

• Lovers Cave gives the trip its most memorable photo stop, with clear water and a dramatic cave setting.
• The private boat is priced per group of up to six, not per person, making it more attractive for families and small groups.
• The two-hour schedule is compact, so you will see several places but should not expect long beach visits at every stop.
• Early morning and late afternoon offer the best light, with late day especially useful for sunset photos.
• The skipper can change the route, departure time, or stops if wind, tides, shallow water, or other sea conditions require it.
• Snorkelling equipment, lagoon permits, shade, and safety gear are included, but food, drinks, a photographer, and barbecue supplies are not.

A private boat built around photographs

This is not a standard sightseeing cruise where everyone follows the same script. You get an exclusive boat for up to six people, then move along the coast of Malta, Comino, and Gozo with time for photographs, swimming, and snorkelling.

That private setup matters most if you are travelling as a family, couple, group of friends, or small photography party. You can keep the focus on posed photographs, underwater shots, swimming, or simply seeing caves and coves from the water. The skipper speaks English and Maltese, and the tour is arranged as a private group experience.

The boat includes comfortable seating, a sun deck, a canopy for shade, safety equipment, an ice cooler, Bluetooth speaker, and free WiFi. Those details will not replace a longer cruise, but they make a short two-hour trip easier and more comfortable, especially when your group has different ideas about how to spend the time.

The booking price is $104 per group of up to six. That is a useful price when six people share it, but less of a bargain for only one or two passengers. You also need to allow for the listed €49 professional skipper fee and €49 fuel charge. Since the advertised price and extra charges use different currencies, check the final amount carefully before paying.

Setting out from Gozo or Malta

You can meet the boat at one of two departure points. From Gozo, the meeting area is at Mgarr Harbour, close to Sicilia Bella Restaurant in the harbour terminal. From Malta, the departure point is at Cirkewwa, close to the kiosk in the Gozo Channel Terminal.

Arrive about 30 minutes early. This is not needless padding: harbour departures can be affected by traffic, finding the correct terminal area, or simply getting your group together. If you arrive late, the charter does not gain extra time, so a rushed arrival can cut into an already short outing.

The tour lasts two hours. The boat ride to the first photo setting is brief, but exact travel time depends on the departure point and the route chosen that day. The skipper can change the itinerary or the boarding and return location if wind, tides, shallow water, or other valid safety concerns make that necessary.

That flexibility is worth understanding before you book. You are paying for a private boat experience in open water, not a fixed land tour with guaranteed arrival at every named site.

Comino’s caves and clear-water coves

Comino is the heart of the trip. Its rocky coast, small beaches, caves, and pale blue water give you the settings most people want from a Malta boat outing.

Lovers Cave is especially suited to photographs. The cave gives you a natural frame, while the clear water adds colour and depth to the image. You may photograph people at the entrance, shoot through the cave toward the sea, or take pictures from the boat. The exact approach depends on sea conditions and the skipper’s decision.

Crystal Lagoon is another key stop for swimming, snorkelling, and underwater photographs. The water is described as clear enough for shots of marine life, coral, and possibly sea turtles. Do not treat those animals as guaranteed sightings, but the area gives you the right setting for looking below the surface.

The Blue Lagoon is the most famous stop in this part of Malta. Its water is the reason many people book a Comino cruise, but its popularity can also mean crowds. A private boat lets you approach from the water and seek a quieter position, yet the tour cannot promise an empty lagoon.

This is where the timing choice matters. April through June is recommended for photography before the busiest summer period. Early morning gives softer light and fewer people in many settings, while late afternoon can bring warmer colours and sunset conditions. The experience runs throughout the year, so you have flexibility, but the best photographic result depends heavily on light and weather.

Gozo’s south coast and Popeye’s Cave

The route can include the coast of Gozo, including the southern side near Comino. One private family outing covered Comino and the south coast of Gozo, with the skipper showing several good places for photographs and taking the boat into a cave with exceptionally clear water.

Popeye’s Cave is also presented as a strong photo location. It gives you another cave setting, this time with a different coastal view and a chance to photograph the boat, rock formations, and water together.

Keep your expectations realistic. A two-hour charter cannot offer a full tour of every part of Comino, Gozo, and Malta. Named sites may be viewed quickly, and the skipper may skip or replace a stop if the sea is rough or access is unsafe. The value is the ability to see several strong locations in a short period, not the length of time spent ashore at any one place.

If your priority is a relaxed swim at one beach, tell the skipper early. If your priority is a collection of photographs, say that too. The tailor-made format works best when you explain what matters before the boat leaves.

Swimming and snorkelling in open water

Snorkelling equipment, including a mask and snorkel, is provided. That makes it easy to add a swim without packing a full kit, though you still need swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and sunglasses.

The water around Comino is the main attraction. You can look for marine life, coral, and underwater scenery around the lagoons and caves. The boat provides a practical base between swims, with seating, shade, and a sun deck.

The sea can be windy even when the sky looks pleasant. One outing took place on a windy day, but the skipper drove steadily and still reached several photo locations. That is encouraging, but it also shows why the skipper keeps final control of the route.

If you are sensitive to motion, keep the conditions in mind. The trip includes boat movement, swimming from or near the boat, and possible changes to the route. A calm day can make the experience feel easy and relaxed, while rougher water may mean a shorter swim or a different cave approach.

What the skipper adds

The skipper is more than a person at the controls. The experience depends on that person’s judgement about safe routes, good photo angles, cave access, and the day’s sea conditions.

One skipper was described as friendly, experienced, informative, and professional. Another was praised for being kind and friendly. The most useful practical detail is that the skipper may show you several photo locations rather than simply stopping at one famous lagoon.

Do not expect a dedicated photographer. A photographer is not included, so you or someone in your group will need to take the pictures. That can be a plus if you want control over the images, but it matters if you are booking a romantic shoot and expect professional posing, lighting, or editing.

For underwater photographs, you will need a suitable waterproof camera or phone housing. The tour supplies snorkelling gear, not a camera or photographer.

Choosing the right time for photos

Photography is available all year, but the season and hour make a noticeable difference. April to June is recommended because it comes before the peak tourist period, when beaches and popular water spots become more crowded.

Early morning is useful if you want cleaner backgrounds, gentler light, and a quieter feel. Late afternoon is better for warmer tones and sunset photographs, although the final result depends on clouds, wind, and the skipper’s available departure time.

The skipper may adjust your chosen time to provide better conditions or fit the needs of the charter. That is helpful, but it means your preferred time is not necessarily fixed. Ask about the likely light before you confirm if photographs are the main purpose of the booking.

For a family session, you may prefer morning, when everyone is fresh and the light is softer. For couples or friends looking for dramatic coastal images, late afternoon can be more appealing.

What is included, and what you bring

The included equipment is well suited to a short outing. You get the private boat, seating, a sun deck, a shade canopy, safety equipment, port and marina fees, taxes, lagoon permits, an ice cooler, Bluetooth speaker, WiFi, and snorkelling gear.

You need to provide your own food and drinks. Party food, party beverages, barbecue items, and a barbecue are all excluded. Fishing equipment and a fishing cooler are also not included, so this is not a fishing charter or a catered boat party.

Bring cash, along with swimwear, towel, sunscreen, and sunglasses. The canopy helps with shade, but you should still protect yourself from the strong Mediterranean sun, especially when reflected off the water.

The ice cooler is useful, but do not assume it is stocked with refreshments. Pack what you want to drink and eat unless you arrange something separately.

Who gets the best value

This tour makes the most sense for a group of four to six people. Since the main price applies to the boat rather than each passenger, sharing the cost brings the per-person figure down. A couple can still value the privacy, but should compare the total with other small-group options.

I would consider it for:

• Couples wanting private cave and lagoon photographs
• Families who want control over swimming and photo stops
• Friends sharing the boat cost
• Small groups that prefer a private experience to a crowded cruise
• Anyone interested in combining swimming, snorkelling, and coastal photography

It is less suitable if you want a long beach day, a professional photographer, a full meal, or a guaranteed route. The two-hour duration is best viewed as a focused coastal outing, not a complete tour of Malta, Gozo, and Comino.

Booking, cancellation, and sea conditions

You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps the booking flexible. The tour includes a separate entrance arrangement and a live guide in English or Maltese.

The skipper has the final say on cancellation, postponement, route changes, and departure or return locations because of weather and sea conditions. That policy is reasonable for a boat trip, but you should accept that the exact plan can change.

Arrive 30 minutes early and plan around the full two-hour window. Lateness does not extend the charter, so your private time on the water is fixed once the boat departs.

Should you book this Comino photo boat?

Book it if you want privacy, clear water, and several strong photo settings in a short trip. Lovers Cave, Crystal Lagoon, the Blue Lagoon, Popeye’s Cave, and Gozo’s coast give the outing plenty of visual variety, while the boat lets you swim and snorkel without committing to a large group.

The best value comes when up to six people share the cost and agree on the main purpose before departure. Add the skipper and fuel charges to your budget, bring your own food and camera equipment, and choose early morning or late afternoon if photographs matter most.

Skip it if you need a full-day cruise, guaranteed access to every named site, professional photography, or included catering. For a small group that wants a private, flexible taste of Comino and nearby coasts, this is a practical choice, provided you are comfortable with weather-based changes.

FAQ

How long is the private boat tour?

The charter lasts two hours. Starting times are subject to availability.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price applies to one private group of up to six people.

Where does the boat depart?

You can depart from Mgarr Harbour in Gozo, close to Sicilia Bella Restaurant, or from Cirkewwa in Malta, close to the kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal.

Are a skipper and fuel included in the listed price?

The professional skipper and fuel consumption are listed separately at €49 each. Check the final booking price because the main rate and these charges use different currencies.

Is snorkelling equipment provided?

Yes. A mask and snorkel are included. Bring your own swimwear, towel, sunscreen, and sunglasses.

Can the route change because of weather?

Yes. The skipper can cancel, postpone, change the route, or alter departure and return locations because of weather, wind, tides, shallow water, or other legitimate sea conditions.